COMPANION ANIMAL INFORMATION SHEETS

Administering medication to your Cat

Just like you, your cat is going to get sick occasionally and you'll likely come home from your veterinarian with some medication to administer. Learning how to do it right will make the process easier both for you and your cat.

Administering medication to your Dog

Just like you, your dog is going to get sick occasionally and you'll likely come home from the veterinarian's with some medication to administer. Learning how to do it right will make the process easier both for you and your dog.

Administering medication Videos

Clinic You Tube Channel

Arthritis and your Pets

Arthritis is a gradual degenerative joint disease where the body’s joints become worn out, stiff and painful. It is a common condition seen particularly in aged dogs, but may affect dogs of all ages and breeds.

Blood test after Vitamin K

All pets that have been put onto a course of Vitamin K after eating rat/mouse bait need to have a blood test after finishing the course to make sure there is no bait left in their system. The blood test must be done 48 hours after their last tablet.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Rhinoplasty and Soft Palate Resection in Dogs with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). What is BOAS? Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a condition that is caused by structural problems in the face and mouth/throat

DACO Buying or selling a dog or cat

Buying or selling a dog or cat. Dog and Cat Management Board of SA

DACO Microchip details

Microchip transfer - owner or breeder. Dog and Cat Management Board of SA

Dental Disease Prevention

What is Dental Disease? Your pet needs to have good oral hygiene to keep a healthy set of teeth and gums throughout its life. Research shows that by 2 years of age 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of dental disease.

Dentistry for Dogs & Cats at MBVC

Dental disease is a common problem in cats and dogs. The majority of cats and dogs will experience some form of dental disease during their lives, many before they reach 5 years of age.

Desexing Info - Videos

Watch videos from the clinics You Tube Channel

Desexing your Pet

Desexing or neutering your pet is a routine surgical procedure, performed with a high level of care at Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic. For most pets this may be the only surgical procedure they will have.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are a very common problem in dogs and cats. Any dog can get ear infections but several breeds are more likely to develop a problem. These include dogs with long ears such as cocker spaniels or dogs with hairy ears...

Elizabethan Collars

Your pet has been sent home with an Elizabethan collar today. These collars are used to help animals recover safely from routine surgery and also to prevent them from harming themselves by licking, chewing, or scratching injured areas.

Environmental Enrichment - Dogs

Much priority has been placed on Environmental Enrichment in recent years. This contributes to a better quality of life for confined animals.

Environmental Enrichment - Cats

Much priority has been placed on Environmental Enrichment in recent years. This contributes to a better quality of life for confined animals.

Fasting Procedure

If your pet is having a general anaesthetic or sedation it needs to be fasted. The procedure is: NO FOOD after 6pm the night before surgery, leave WATER with your pet overnight.

Flea Lifecycle

Protecting your pets from Fleas. Fleas can make life miserable for pets and their owners. They cause a vicious cycle of itching and scratching that may result in hair loss, irritation and flea allergy dermatitis in some pets.

Gastropexy to prevent gastric dilation volvulus (GDV)

What is GDV and why does it occur? GDV is where a dog’s stomach fills up with air and then twists resulting in the air becoming trapped inside the stomach.

 General Anaesthesia in Geriatric Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats are generally considered geriatric after they reach the age of 7 years. This varies a bit depending on the breed and life expectancy of the pet. My dog/cat is 15 years old – they won’t survive an anaesthetic will they?

Heartworm Prevention

Protecting your pets from Heartworm. Heartworm is a serious disease that is spread by mosquitoes. Your pet does not have to be in contact with other animals to contract this disease.

Introducing New Food

A new pet food should always be introduced gradually, even if your pet appears to like the new food. This will help reduce the chance of a stomach upset following a food change.

Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS)

Hip dysplasia is defined as a deformity of the coxofemoral (hip) joint that occurs during the growth period. Hip dysplasia is caused by a variety of factors including genetic, overweight in the young puppy and over exercise...

Mouthing Puppies

Mouthing or biting is normal puppy behaviour, but is sometimes inappropriate and undesired. From birth to around six weeks of age when you got your puppy, the litter mates play and mouth each other.

Muzzles

A hand out to learn how to get your dog comfortable wearing a muzzle.

New Kitten Checklist

Vaccination: Your kitten needs to be vaccinated against Feline Enteritis, Feline Rhinotracheitis & Feline Calicivirus. Kittens are due for their 1st vaccination at the age of 8 weeks & 2nd vaccination at 12 weeks.

Best Start Kitten Guide

Welcome to the exciting world of kitten ownership!

New Puppy Checklist

Vaccination: Your puppy needs to be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo Virus and Canine Cough.

Best Start Puppy Guide

Welcome to the exciting world of puppy ownership!

Nutrition for Cats

In nature, whether it be a cougar, a tiger or a lion cub, a big cat needs meat to survive. Your pet cat has the same need for the protein in meat to be strong and healthy.

Nutrition for Dogs

In the wild dogs are primarily carnivores (meat eaters). Wild dogs eat all parts of their kill - which includes muscle, bones and intestines. From the intestines and gut they obtained vegetable matter, important for the dogs diet.

Parvo Virus

Information on the highly contagious Canine Parvo Virus.

Physical Therapy - Balance and Proprioception Exercises

Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6qd1OctEQc
Or download fact sheet.

Physical Therapy - Hot & Cold + Massage

Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6qd1OctEQc
Or download fact sheet.

Physical Therapy - Passive Movements

Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6qd1OctEQc
Or download fact sheet.

Physical Therapy - Strengthening Exercises

Watch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09jb7ELxJL8
Or download fact sheet.

Pregnancy and Birth (Whelping) in the Bitch

Pregnancy will last 63 days (with variations of 58 – 72 days). Ultrasound from day 28 after mating, X-ray from day 42 after mating – this is a better technique for estimating how many puppies can be expected. Manual palpation may be possible in some dogs.

Prescription Medication

The law states that: Medication that is classed as S4 “Prescription animal remedy” or “Prescription only medicine” Require professional diagnosis and monitoring and may only be prescribed by a registered vet.

Puppy Pre-School

What will my puppy gain from Puppy Pre-School? A new puppy between the ages of 6 - 14 weeks, are in their socilisation period. During this period puppies can very quickly acquire the social skills they will need later in life.

Rat Bait Toxicity

A very important aspect with rat bait toxicity is that clinical signs will not develop for TWO to THREE DAYS after consumption. If you suspect or observe a pet has eaten rat bait, it is important to bring them to the vet immediately for the best prognosis.

Senior Pets

As one human year is approximately 7 dog or cat years, regular checkups are important in detecting the early signs of problems in our senior pets. We recommend assessments every 6 - 12 months for senior pets...

Snakebites

Information on symptoms of a snakebite.

Toilet Training Puppies

At a young age puppies have little bladders and therefore need to be taken to the toilet frequently. I.e. after every nap, drink, feed. Most puppies do not have full bladder control until 5 - 6 months of age.

Travelling with your Pet

Are you planning a holiday with your pet? Be sure to read our helpful handout first.

Vaccinations - Dogs

Current vaccination information for dogs.

Vaccinations - Cats

Current vaccination information for cats.

Weight Loss

Animals eat for energy. Their diet must contain a balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to satisfy basic nutritional needs. Some dogs and cats require more energy than others, depending on a variety of factors...